Linksys router very intermittent connection

billieboy_2

All three PCs are wirelessly connected to this router and all three have this problem. It was very slow when I first went on line and now it's connecting for about 30 seconds and then going off again. I have tried re-booting both the router and the modem (Virgin) as well as my PC but to no avail. I have done a diagnostics and this has come up with the following solution which I haven't as yet followed as the winsock is a windows file and I'm worried about changing anything:

"Windows has detected a problem with the winsock provider catalog in this computer. This catalog allows programs to communicate with this computer across the network. Would you liike windows to reset the catalog to the default configuration? The computer might need to be restarted to restore network connectivity."

In fact this solution might not even come up next time I try a diagnostics. Any ideas anyone? I have troubleshooted the network card and that appears to be working okay. Seems a bit strange that all three PCs are having the same problem. I am having to use another connection to get on-line so may not be able to read any replies straightaway but thanks in advance.

Bob63

Which router do you have and what version of firmware?

http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1 will typically take you to the router and let you see the firmware version on the main status page.

Mike

billieboy_2

Hi Mike

Thanks for your reply. I have a Linksys router WRT54G and the firmware version is v1.42.2.

Funnily enough, it is now connected and has been for the last ten minutes but it might disconnect again so would be useful to have a solution anyway!

Sue

Inactive

It sounds like a " Virgin " fault to me.

Many Virgin customers appear to be having regular slow downs, disconnects.

billieboy_2

Inactive wrote: »

It sounds like a " Virgin " fault to me.

Many Virgin customers appear to be having regular slow downs, disconnects.

I did wonder about that but next door have Virgin as well and theirs appears to be working no problem.

billieboy_2

PS it seems to be working okay now!

Bob63

The WRT54G is a great router that has been around for a long time. What is nice about it is that the firmware has been open sourced meaning that you can load other firmware onto it which adds extra feature and also allows you to tune the output power of the wireless transmissions to get more range.

I don't use mine any more as I have turned off wireless and gone completely wired with HomePlug ethernet over the mains, but when I had it running I used DD-WRT firmware. http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php

Mike

billieboy_2

I've come to the conclusion it's probably Virgin. It's very slow this morning. Hopefully I won't lose it again like yesterday.

Thanks.

Sue

markchadwick

As another precaution, I would check what channel your wireless connection is broadcasting on. I have had problems in the past with several routers and found that if other people in your area are using the same channel, the signals can compete with each other and cause havoc with your connection.

If the problem persists, try changing your channel to one that is not in use, or if that's not possible, change to the one with the weakest signal as it should cause the least interference. To change the channel is very simple on the Linksys router, just check in the wireless settings page.

Also, ensure that your protection is WPA or even better WPA2 as WEP is no longer secure.

billieboy_2

markchadwick wrote: »

As another precaution, I would check what channel your wireless connection is broadcasting on. I have had problems in the past with several routers and found that if other people in your area are using the same channel, the signals can compete with each other and cause havoc with your connection.

If the problem persists, try changing your channel to one that is not in use, or if that's not possible, change to the one with the weakest signal as it should cause the least interference. To change the channel is very simple on the Linksys router, just check in the wireless settings page.

Also, ensure that your protection is WPA or even better WPA2 as WEP is no longer secure.

Hi

The channel I am on is 11-2.462GHz. How do I know which channels are in use or which has the weakest signal?

The options I have for security are WEP (which I'm currently on), WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA Radius and Radius. If WEP is no longer secure, which WPA should I use?

Thanks

Sue

espresso

billieboy wrote: »

Hi

The channel I am on is 11-2.462GHz. How do I know which channels are in use or which has the weakest signal?

Use Netstumbler to survey signals in your locality here.

The options I have for security are WEP (which I'm currently on), WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA Radius and Radius. If WEP is no longer secure, which WPA should I use?

You should change your encryption to WPA Pre-Shared Key and get yourself a long random passphrase from here.

Someone else may be using your wireless connection if you are using WEP encryption!

Why don't you connect one of your computers to the router using an Ethernet cable and then check performance, to eliminate any wireless issues?

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